Gay athletes worry - Russia's winter Olympics

My view of the Olympic games has just taken a turn for the worst (if that's possible as I'm already right over the bullshit Olympics after the last time). On this occasion the concern is that the IOC has chosen to have the next winter Olympics in Russia, and although they had much to say about South African Apartheid they appear to have nothing to say about the violation of human rights against gays in Russia.

New Zealand speedskater Blake Skjellerup is focused on making his second Olympic team. He got a taste of what to expect at the Winter Olympics, which begin one year from today, at a recent race in Sochi, Russia.

But he's also concerned about the anti-gay legislation working its way through the Russian parliament. After competing in the 2010 Vancouver Games, Skjellerup publicly acknowledged he's gay.

The bill, which is expected to pass, would outlaw "homosexual propaganda" making public events that promote gay rights and public displays of affection by same-sex couples illegal. St. Petersburg and a number of other Russian cities already have similar laws.

A call to the Russian Embassy seeking comment was not returned. more

Surely, FFS, why can't the sporting world take a stand with this? Oh yeah, of course, the Olympics are all about money these days aren't they. Can't ruin the Olympic party and stop the money flow! Oh the humanity!

Well, I hope that with the massive media coverage there will be of the winter Olympics, that there might actually be a reporter or two there that has the guts to investigate and ask questions about Russia's church inspired, state sponsored, homophobia. Or perhaps questions may be asked even before the winter games in the west about why Russia wants so badly to persecute this particular minority?

I understand that it does take time and pressure for gay rights to be accepted by various societies that previously haven't done so, but the movement is overall forward. What Russia is doing to gay people is despicable, in that it's clear in the modern world that a 2,000 year old fuckin book isn't the be all and end all of human morality, yet Russia is making a conscious decision to return to the dark ages.  The IOC is IMO just as despicable for ignoring what Russia is doing to us.

Russia needs to decide what sort of international citizen it wants to be. A modern society capable of change and growth, or one ruled by churches that can't move beyond religion. In light of their anti-gay stance, I'm beginning to wonder if Russia is  actually capable of being a modern society.

Even if the IOC chooses not to weigh in on homophobia in Russia, there's growing international opposition.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about the Russian Duma's draft legislation that would restrict rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The European Union also has weighed in. Catherine Ashton, a representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, wrote that implementing the law could reinforce discrimination against the LGBT community.

Rapinoe called Russia's anti-gay stance, from its prosecution and conviction of members of the punk band Pussy Riot to the current laws in place, "outrageous." The lack of outcry from the sporting world is troubling as well. 

"What year are we in? People are still being arrested for saying it's OK to be gay?" she said. "What is the IOC or major sponsors doing, if anything?" more